Currently the chairman of the state Senate Health Committee, Hannon headed the Medicaid Reform Task Force in the 2003-04 legislative session and proposed a comprehensive overhaul of the system that is in the works. He also pushed for the passage of the Assisted Living Reform Act, which established a uniform definition of assisted living and required all assisted-living facilities to be licensed.
Recognizing the burden that would be created for taxpayers if Nassau University Medical Center goes under, Hannon has been working closely with county officials on streamlining their plan to keep the hospital afloat.
Hannon's opponent, Garden City attorney Charles Ferzola, complains that Hannon has simply become another part of the "old boys' network" responsible for the state Legislature's dysfunction. It's clear that the Legislature is in need of a massive overhaul. It hasn't been able to pass a budget on time in some 20 years, and systematically reduces the role of rank-and-file members and the public in the legislative process, as detailed in a report released in August by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University's School of Law.
But Albany's dysfunction can't be blamed only on Hannon, and it's not a good enough reason by itself to vote him out of office. What's more, Hannon openly admits that the Legislature is in need of improvement, and has supported a plan to reform the budget process.
Ferzola has also charged that Hannon has lost his connection with the community, and Ferzola has even claimed that Hannon's two children don't attend local schools. That's not true. Hannon, a resident of Garden City, is a visible and accessible senator whose twin daughters attend Garden City High School.
Ferzola has also pointed out that incumbents in the state Legislature have a marked advantage over challengers, and seldom lose their bids for re-election. Since they don't fear losing their jobs, they've become complacent, he claims. While that might be true in some cases, it's clearly not in Hannon's.
Although he is vocal about changing the way business is done in Albany, Ferzola hasn't proposed one concrete way of achieving that goal. He also hasn't demonstrated a clear enough understanding of the local issues facing the 6th District.
This is the second time Ferzola has sought elected office, and we applaud his efforts. He doesn't seem prepared, however, to hold a Senate seat, and perhaps he should gain more experience by seeking a lower office.
